Compressor.



H. KUEHL.

COMPRESSOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 22, 1907.

2`SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Patented Sept. 15, 1908.

.r .2dr/.IA Milln/Imi.. 1.

H. KUBHL.

COIYIPRLSSOR.l APPLICATION FILED AUG. 22, 1907.

Patented sept. 1'5, 1908.

2 SHBETSSHEET 2.

UNITED sTA-Tns Pagani* onnio.

i -HENRY KUEHL, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNR OF eSNE-HALF T0THEOD-OE KOLISCHER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

, COMPRESSOR. y

- Specic-:ation of Letters Patent.

Patented sepais, ieee.

To all whom it may concern;-

f. Be it known that I, HENRY KUEHL, acitizen of the UnitedStamm-.residing at Philadelphia, county oilhiladelphia, and State ofennsylvania, have4 invented certain new and useful Improvements inCompressors, of Which the followinfr is a speciiication.

My invention relates to a compressor, and more particularly a compressorfor ammonia or other gas employed in a system of refrigeration orice-making plant.

My invention has particular reference to the valves of the compressorproper, that is, the suctionvalve, vthe piston valve, and the dischargevalve.

' In the compressors heretofore employed in the art, the valves havebeen the seat of varioustroubles or disadvantages, in that they produceda great amount of disagreeable clicking or noise during operation,l iuthat relatively large quantities ol' ammonia oil or liquid base oil Werenecessary to keep the parts suitably lubricated and in suitable Workingorder, and in that the eiiiciency of conversion from the mechanicalpower su piecll to the compressor Was not suliicientiy It is .the obj ofmy invention to overcome these difliculties and disadvantages, and to,provide valves which shall be noiseless, and

which shall render the eiiiciency of conversion higher than heretoforeand with a resulting reduction in the amount of ammonia oil or liquidbase oil required. To this end, I have constructed the valves, ashereinafter shown and described, Wi th theresult of noiseless operationand higher efficiency in conversion and minimizing of oil, alldetermined from actual construction. and continued operation. y

For an illustration of one of the forms my invention may take, referenceis to be had to 'the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectionalview through the compressonfcylinder andthe valves. 2A is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line e-b ofFig. 1. Fig. 3 is a Afragmentary view similar to a portion of Fig. 1,except that the comprefs'sing piston is shownat the end of its stroke.Fig. 4 is a urther frag- Vmentary sectional view similar to a portion ofFig. 1 showingthe position of the piston valve during thefdownwardstroke of the piston. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional hview throughthe suction valve, taken on the the valve shown in Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings 1 represents the compressor cyli-nder ofa'single acting ammonia or other compressor. The cylinderis here assumedto be invvertical position. Vithin the cylinder is'the piston 2,provided with the usual packing rings 3 and provided with the webmembers 4 having the sleeve 5 through which passes the upper end `6 ofthe piston rod, to which the piston is securedby the key?, the collar 8'upon the piston rod. 6 serving as an abutment for the sleeve `5: Thepiston rod 6 extends out4 through the lower cylinder head 9 having theusual stuifing boX 10. ,l

The piston valve 11, having the conical valve seat 12 in the piston 2,has a downwardly extending cylindrical shank or sleeve i 13 perforatedat its bottom to encircle and slide upon the ,upper end of the pistonrod 6.

Having a sliding iit within the sleeve-13 is av circular nut 14 securedby scre'wthreads upon the extreme upper end of the piston rod 6. Thecircular nut 111 is hollowed out, and surrounding the piston rodA 6 andconfined' be# tweenthe hollow nut 14 and th'ebottom of the sleeve=13 isaspiral spring 15; A Similarly,

above the nut 14 is a spiral spring 1 6 contined between the nut 14 andthe screw-threaded closing cap 17 engaging in the top of the valve 1 1.The piston 2 has a large cylindrical central opening adordingconsiderable space, as at 18, around the valve sleeve A13. The spring 16is of such materialysize and diaposition that it carries almost all ofthe Weight of the valve 1 1, thus practically balancing the valve 11 andmaking it sensitive and responsive to the slightest upward pressure.

The piston rod 6 is connected to a crossliead Which, in turn, may beconnected to the crank of a reciprocating steam engine or to any othertype oi prime mover, which, when a steam engine, is generally disposedin a horizontal position, While the compressor is in a vertieai`position.

Near the bottom of the cylinder 1 is a cylindrical tubular extension 19which com- 'municates with the interior of the cylinder line` c-d ofFig.4 6. Fig. 6 isl a plan view ofv the plate 24 intervening between theii'anges 2,1 and 22 and having tongue and groove connections therewithwhich are machined and der a gas-tight connection. The plate 24 has acentral opening 25 terminating at its 4inner endin a conical valve seat26 with which is adapted to engage the, valve The valve 27 has acylindrical stein 28, which f. is'adapted to "reciprocate within thecylin drical-sleeve 29 which, fat its outer end, is screw-threaded at 30intthe plate 31, the sleeve 29 having the flattened head 32 adapted t'oreceive a' wrench or other means for screwing the sleeve 29 into theplate 31. The plate 31 is supported-'by aplurality of rodsl33'upon theplate 24, such rods serving also'to holdt-he plate 31 at a de'nitepositionjwith respect' to the plate 24. vWithin the A4Sleeve 29 andatone end thereofis pro- Y vided a spiral spring 34, against which the4valve stem 28 is adapted to abut when the its supporting rods are alldisposed within screw-threaded into the plat-e 41.

the tubular member 19. Holes 36 communicate from the outside of the nut32 with the interior of the seat 26 to afford passage for lubricatingmaterial.

At' the top of the cylinder 1 is provideda dome 37 between which and theend of the cylinder 1 intervenes a plate 38 having tongue and grooveconnection with dome andthe cylinder to form a gas-tight joint. Theplate 38 extends into the cylindera short distance and is beveled at 3.9to correspond with the bevel on the upper end of the piston 2. l. Uponthe ledge formed by the plate 38 engages a plate 40 which is secured tothe plate 41 fitting within the dome 37 by a plurality of bolts 42, saidbolts having shoulders so aste space the plates 40 and `41 definitelyand accurately. Over Vthe nut of the central boltl passes a piece oftube 43 screw-threaded. in the top of the .dome 37. vAnd for the pin 45on the outside of the dome 37 is supplied a lcap46. The .pin 45 isscrewed down thus forcingv the plate 40 firmly against the ledge formedby the plate 38 and holding the parts firmly in position.

In the topside of the plate 4 0 are provided three valve seats 47, all4communicating by passages 48 with the interior of the cylinder 1'.

above the piston 2. With each valve seat engages a valve 49 having astem 50 adapted to reciprocate vertically within the sleeve 51 Eachsleeve 51 has a flange 52 engaging the tipp of the plate 41 and closedat its upper end at 53. Between the valve stem 5G and t-he inside yofthe cap53 is a spiral spring 54. And around the sleeve 51 and the valvestern 50 and confined between the valve 49 and the eeaese packed orotherwise suitably treated to ren* Y underside of the plate 41 is aspiral spring 55.

This plurality of valves in the dor'ne takes the. place of the bucketvalve heretofore commonly used in compressors of thisl type.

All of the valves and valve seats heretoforel described are ireferablymade of steel,

mild steel, or the li ie, or any other suitable i material whichwithstands usage in the presence of ammonia or other gases.

Communicating with the dome 37 is the cylindrical tubular' outlet- 56 towhich is bolted the discharge pipe 57 as well understood in the art.

' The operation is as follows: Assuming the piston 2 at the lowermostpoint ofits stroke, on rising upwardly, as driven by the engine or otherprime mover, it tends to create a vacuum in the c vliiuler space beneaththe piston, thus creating a suction and a lower pressure on the cylinderside of the suction valve 27 than on the side of the pipe 23 whichcommunicates with the refrigerator or refrigerating system in which therefrigerant exists in gaseous form. The gas in the pi )e 23, therefore,exerts a pressure `against the valve 27 raising it from its seat 26 inopposition to the spring 35. T his opening of the valve 27, therefore,allows the gas to rush into the cylinder 1 behind the piston 2. As thevalve 27 lifts from its seat, it is guided in the sleeve 29 and, in caseits separation from its seat is excessive, the stein 28 engages thespring 34 which takes up the shock ofthe opening movement of the valveand'prevents any noise or click due to the opening. During the upward.movement of the piston 2 this suction action continues until the end ofthe upward stroke, whereupon the s ring 35 restores the valve 27 to itsseat 26 t us cutting. ofl'` communication withv the suction pipe 23.'Upon the downward stroke of .the piston 2 the gas behind the piston 2is very slightly compressed and is prevented from passing out throughthe pipe 23 again by the valve 27 engaging snugly with its seat'26. Thisdownward motion of the iston, however, causes the gas beneath tilepiston to raise the valve 11 from its seat 12 in the piston, as shown inFig. 4, and to escapev into the upperl end of the cylinder. The valve1l, as previously-stated, is practically entirely supported by thespring 16, in effect being practically balanced, so that the gas beneaththe piston very readily and easily lifts the valve 11. A too great anupward movement of the valve 11 is prevented by the spring 15,

which, after a definite movement, engages the upper inner side othe nut14./ As the piston reaches thelower end of its stroke, the valve 11returns onto its seat 12. The valve 11 being practically balanced by thespring ceases gas is connedibetween the' piston .2 .and the plate.10-'-vvith its valves 49. '.the piston -2 advancesiupwardly the.pressure-inztheu per end ofthe cylinder keeps increasing'unt' jtheydesired ffhigh -pressure .is reached, whereupon c the-valves 49 arelifted by that .pressure'm opposition to the springs v55, .as shown inFig.

3, thusallowing the compressedfgaszto escape into the space between theplates 40 .and 41 .and :to iind exit :through the :connection 56 and thedischarge pipe .57. The piston rises tofor very nearly to the plate40,1there being very small clearance by `the construction shown, so thatpraoticallyall 'thegas in the upper yend of the cylinder vis compressedat each .stroke and discharged. When the -:troke has been completed,vthe springs 55 restore the'valves 49 to their seats, these.

valves being very-light are .easily controlled my by the springs .andproduce practically no ist noise in operation. vThe springs 52 above thevalve stem serve .as .elasticdimiting means` for the upward stroke ofthe valves,

thus also minimizing shock and reducing noise.

By the employment of .a valve of this construction or a plurality ofthem, .as shown, the eflioiency of conversion in compression is higherand more so than in the case of the bucket valve such as heretoforecommonly used, and which is of considerable weight and.

which vibrates several times against its seat causing a series of clicksor loud noises. But aside from the noise produced the efficiency ofcompression was not so great as with the construction here shown wherethe valves are; light, delicately controlled and quickly responsive, theinertia eiects being a minit mum. no

. and in suchformis again introduced into the valve.

compressor cylinder 1 through the' suction While l have here shown myinvention applied to a single acting compressor, it is, of course, to`be understood that it may be applied to double acting machines.

What l claim is.'

1. in a compressor, the combination with a cylinder, of`a piston movabletherein, a piston rod for dri-ving said piston, a valve member having aseat on said piston, a guide nut upon said piston rod upon which saidvalve member is movable, and resilient means on l either side of saidnut engaging said valve member.

2. ln a compressor, the combination with a,y cylinder, of a pistonmovable therein, a pis- .t0n rod for driving the same, a valvemember-having a seat on said piston, a nut upon said piston rod, ahollow valve stem upon said valve member, said nut engaging in saidhollow stem and operating .as aguide therefor, and resilientme'ans oneither side of said nut engaging said valve member.

,In a compressor, the combmatlon with va cylinder, of acsuction tubecommunicating therewith,I a suction pipe secured to said tube, a valveseat secured by and intervening between said tubev and pipe, avalvefmember engaging with said seat and having a stem, a hollow guidefor said valvestem, a spring within said hollow guide for opposing saidvalve stern, and means supporting said guide and secured 'to said valveseat.

4. In a compressor, the combination with a cylinder, of a dome thereon,and a valve system disposed in said dome and comprising. se arated fixedplate member`s,a plurality of va ve seats in one of said valvecooperating with eac a stern, and a valvestern guide for each valvelplate members, a

Y secured in the other plate member, a spring within the valve stemguide, a spring opposing the opening. of each valve,and means engagingsaid dome and holding said valve system in lined position.

5. In a compressor, the combination with a cylinder, of a piston movabletherein, a pis-- ton rod for driving said piston, a valve having a seatin said piston, a hollow valve stem upon said valve, a uide membervsecured upon said piston ro and engagin within said valve stem,resilient means conned between the bottom of said valve stem and saidguide member, and resilient means on the other side of said guide memberand conlined seat and having los in said valve stem between saidguidemember and a valve stem closure;

6. In a compressor, the combination with a cylinder, of a suction tubecommunicating therewith, a ipe secured to said tube, a valve seat held)between said pipe and tube, a valve enga ing with said seat and havin astem, a hol ow guide for receiving said va ve stem, a support for saidguide, and means secured in said valve seat for supporting said guidelsupport.

7. In a compressor, the combination with a cylinder, of a suction tubecommunicating therewith, a pipe secured to said tube, a valve seatsecured between said pipe and tube, a valvemember engaging saidseat and-having a stem, a hollow guide' for receiving said stem, a guidesupport, and means secured in said valve seat for supporting said guidesupport, said valve, guide and support inclosed in said tube.

8. In a compressor, the combination with a cylinder, ol a suction'tubecommunicating therewith, and a valve in said tube and comprising a valvescat, a valve member engaging therewith and having a stem, a hollowgulde for receiving said stern, a guide support,

a plurality of rods secured in said valve seat pipe, a valve memberadapted to engage with said seat member, a stem on said va Ve member, ahollow guide adapted to receive said stem, a guide support, and meanssecured to saidvalve scat member and Within said suction tube forsupporting said guide support.

10. In a compressor, the combination with a cylinder, of a dome thereon,and a valve system disposed in said dome and comprising separatedparallel late members secured to each other, a plura ity of Valve seatsin one of said plate members, a Valve coperating with 'each seat andhavin@r a stem, a hollow valve stem guide for each valve secured in theother plate member, resilient means within each guide, resilient meansopposing the openingof each valve, and means engaging said dome forsecuring said Valve system inh `fixed position. y

1 1. Inea compressor, the combmation with a cylinder, of a dome securedthereon, av

member secured between: said dome and cylinder and forming a ledge insaid dome, and a valve system disposedin said dome and ixedly securedagainst said led e, said valve system comprising separated pate members,a plurality of valve seatsfin one of saidy platemem bers, a'valvecooperating with each seat and having a stem, and a valve stem guide foreach valve secured in the other plateniember, a spring within each valvestem'guide, a

spring opposing the opening of each valve,

and an e aust port communicating'with the space between said platemembers.

In testimonyl whereof I have hereunto aff fixed my signature in vthepresence 'of the two

